Stockton Planning Commission Meeting - October 24, 2024: Denial and Approval of Alcohol License Upgrades
Stockton Planning Commission Meeting - October 24, 2024
This meeting of the Stockton Planning Commission, held from 5:30 PM to 7:34 PM, considered two requests to upgrade alcohol licenses from off-sale beer and wine to general alcoholic beverages at convenience stores. Commissioners heard public testimony, deliberated on each item, and reached contrasting decisions: one denial (6-0) and one approval (5-1) with a special condition.
Public Comments & Testimony
- Dan Richardson spoke during general public comment, expressing opposition to the proliferation of smoke shops, liquor stores, fast food, gas stations, and warehouses in Stockton. He urged the commission to encourage better brick-and-mortar businesses that provide meaningful jobs and opportunities for youth.
- Pat Barrett spoke during general public comment and on both agenda items. She opposed additional alcohol licenses, particularly in South Stockton, citing existing concentrations of alcohol outlets, crime, and mental health concerns. She highlighted that the Arch Road area already has multiple similar businesses within a mile radius.
Discussion Items
5.1 – Request for Commission Use Permit to Upgrade to General Alcohol Sales at 4607 South Airport Way
Staff (Mike McDowell) presented that the site is under construction for a convenience store/gas station, and the upgrade would allow sale of distilled spirits. The site is in crime reporting district 429 with 128 reported crimes versus a citywide average of 339, well below the threshold. No other off-sale licenses exist within 1,000 feet. Staff recommended approval.
The applicant’s representative (Gage Marcini) noted the applicant’s experience and crime prevention design, and requested removal of a condition restricting single sales of beer/malt liquor under 40 ounces. Several commissioners (Boparai, Vielma, Jones, Rizvi) voiced opposition, emphasizing that South Stockton is already over-concentrated with alcohol outlets and that the upgrade could endanger public health and safety. Commissioner Thompson acknowledged the investment but sided with the majority. A motion to deny the resolution, based on failure to meet general findings #2 (maintain neighborhood integrity) and #5 (not endanger public welfare) due to over-concentration and community opposition, passed 6-0. Staff was directed to prepare a formal denial resolution for the next meeting.
5.2 – Request for Commission Use Permit and Waiver to Upgrade to General Alcohol Sales at 7620 Maranatha Way
Staff (Arturo) presented that the site is in a new development area with a gas station, two restaurants, and a hotel. The crime reporting district (358) had 506 crimes, 154% above the citywide average of 326, but police officer Lewis Porter clarified this includes county data and is skewed by property crimes in commercial areas. The site is not in an over-concentrated census tract. Staff recommended approval with a waiver of the crime reporting district requirement.
The applicant requested approval as recommended. Commissioner Thompson made a motion to approve, citing the positive development and different context from the South Stockton item. Commissioner Rizvi supported, noting the area’s diverse uses (hotel, diner). Commissioner Vielma expressed concern about the high crime numbers but accepted the explanation. Vice Chair Boparai voted no, arguing the process for upgrades should have no exemptions regarding sensitive receptors. The motion was amended (friendly) to include a condition prohibiting sales of single 50-milliliter distilled spirits (allowing only packs of four). The motion passed 5-1, with Vice Chair Boparai dissenting.
Key Outcomes
- Item 5.1 (South Airport Way): Denied. The commission voted 6-0 to direct staff to bring back a resolution of denial based on findings that the upgrade would not maintain neighborhood integrity and could endanger public welfare, citing over-concentration of alcohol outlets in South Stockton.
- Item 5.2 (Maranatha Way): Approved with a condition. The commission voted 5-1 to approve the use permit and waiver, prohibiting the sale of distilled spirits in single 50-milliliter bottles unless packaged in sets of four or more.
- Commissioner Comments: Vice Chair Boparai thanked staff and reiterated concerns about the upgrade process. Commissioner Rizvi thanked the public and applicants. Chair Hull noted it was Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Meeting Transcript
All right. Good evening and welcome everybody to the Planning Commission meeting of October 24th of 2024. At this time, I would ask the city clerk, please take roll. Chair Hole. Here. Vice Chair Bopari. Present. Commissioner Thompson. Present. Commissioner Vialma. Present. Commissioner Risby. Present. Commissioner Mellet is absent. Commissioner Jones. Present. We have a quorum. Excellent. Thank you. I would uh ask if Commissioner Thompson would give us the flag salute, please. Pledge allegiance to the flags of America. Thank you for the Republic for Stands. One nation. Under Indivisible. All right. Okay, we'll move on to item number three, that is consent items. There is no consent items tonight. Um that will move on to item number four, that is public comment. Uh, this section of the agenda is reserved for public comment on anything within the jurisdiction of the commission. Uh if a member of the public would like to speak on a civic agenda item, they may do so here or later when that item is called. Do we have any public comment? Yes, we have to. First is Dan Richardson. Welcome. Thank you. Good evening, everybody. Um, first time speaking in front of the plan commission. I've been to the city council meeting several times, a number of times about other issues. What I wanted to talk about tonight is just the proliferation of smoke shops, liquor stores, fast food, gas stations. Seems to be the only business that we can approve and get built in Stockton. We need to do a much, much better job at getting good, sound brick and mortar business in this city. We need jobs that offer kids opportunities to grow, to be better educated, to move on to significantly better jobs in their lives so they can support their families, buy houses, etc. Liquor store jobs, gas stations, fast food restaurants, those don't do the trick. Um I'm pleading with the commission to encourage the city business development, city manager, etc. to look for better alternatives than warehouses, smoke shops, liquor stores, and gas stations. That's not the future of Stockton. We're not gonna better the city of Stockton and improve the city of Stockton with that kind of business. And it seems like lately that's all we're getting. You know, we're losing brick and mortar businesses right and left, and we need to do a better job. Um I'm not sure if the planning commission is appropriate place to address this.
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